Tag Archives: workshop

On the recent cruise with my Sis we explored a few of the Caribbean Islands including Barbados, St Lucia and St KittsWe visited a Batik workshop where we saw the Batik process in action followed by the inevitable shopping opportunities don’t you just love the colours?l tasted quite a few Rum punches including this one in a coconut on the beach. We paddled and swam in the beautiful turquoise sea and found shells on the beach.

Crochet is a process of creating fabric by interlocking loops of yarn, thread, or strands of other materials using a crochet hook. The name is taken from the French word “crochet”, meaning small hook. These are made of materials such as metal, wood, or plastic and are manufactured commercially and produced in artisan workshops. The salient difference between crochet and knitting, beyond the implements used for their production, is that each stitch in crochet is completed before proceeding with the next one, while knitting keeps a large number of stitches open at a time. (Variant forms such as Tunisian crochet and broomstick lace keep multiple crochet stitches open at a time.)

At Yarndale 2015 last weekend I met dozens of crochet experts. The end products were beautiful including some stunning shawls. I intend to “have a go” but am wary of the Lacey patterns as I always seem to get into trouble with “holes”

I have many pieces of crochet but they are mainly cloths, or doilies. Much too intricate for my patience!

Crocheted shawls

As an aside many of the ladies who crochet call themselves “Hookers” very tongue in cheek!

You do meet nice people at craft fairs! At a recent Christmas Craft Fair I met a lady who has just renovated a property, converting it to a venue for craft workshops. These workshops are about to get up and running and she has asked me to run a workshop making my up cycled bunting. This is pictured above and I use worn out or damaged embroidered lace doilies, tray cloths and table cloths. So if anyone has spare vintage embroidery or lace you know where it will find a good home! The bunting I had made was not for sale but just used to dress up my candle stall but maybe next time!

The workshops are to be held in a near by village called Caerwys, check out http://www.coachhousecaerwys.co.uk This is a beautiful location and an original “coach house” fabulous.

Whilst cruising through Pinterest I spotted the recycled tote bag as pictured above. Maybe just maybe, this could be the inspiration for another workshop. Perhaps I could use recycled beads? I could incorporate quilting, embroidery, buttons. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! The list is endless!

Spring has sprung! Walking around the lanes today on a glorious Spring-like day I spied two new born lambs. What made me smile was the attire of the smallest lamb, a designer plastic jacket. Obviously designed to keep the tiny lamb warm it was a plastic bag with leg holes. Extreme up cycling?

Earrings continue to be sorted. I honestly can’t believe how many pairs I have! I’m a little worried as to when I will wear the Christmas ones as the promise was to wear a different pair every day. I am currently up to pair number 27 So will certainly continue through March.

I am delighted to report that I have completed the Goldwork practice piece that I started in the Workshop last Friday..Not only that but I have made it into a needle case. I don’t like the idea of not turning the hard work into something useful.

Today I had arranged a Gold Work workshop in our village hall. Gold Work is a form of specialised embroidery using gold threads,wires and beads. It is a beautiful craft requiring patience, imagination,dexterity and lots of tuition! Our terrific tutors were Sue and Sarah from http://www.golden-hinde.co.uk. Fifteen keen, but certainly not experienced ladies, enjoyed the fun whilst trying to create a potential heirloom!

We all ate lots of cake and drank endless tea (thanks to my sister) and ended the day with a part finished small project. Mine was a heart in three types of gold work stitches proving to be a really pretty practice piece. This will NOT join my heap of unfinished objects I promise. I will put it on my blog when complete!Our tutors Sue and Sarah showing our group how to do Goldwork with endless patience and humour.Two beautiful Goldwork pieces completed and framed. These are just a little more advanced than my practice piece!

Days 9,10,11,and 12 of my personal earring challenge! They are slowly getting sorted. It’s great to know where they are in pairs! I am finding some broken jewellery, beads and earring and brooches. I have a grand plan to repair what I can and use some stuff to make brooches. I’ve seen some good ideas on Pinterest where they have incorporated brooches/vintage lace/beads etc. I might give it a go at some point.

I’m also organising a Goldwork Workshop next Friday. It is to be held in our Village Hall and 16 ladies have said that they would like to come. It should be a good day with unlimited coffee and cake and exciting projects to have a go at. I will report back next week.